Fairbanks, Avard T. (Avard Tennyson), 1897-1987

Avard Tennyson Fairbanks (1897-1987) was born to John B. and Lilly Annetta Huish Fairbanks. His artistic talent was recognized around the age of twelve when he created his first sculpture, a rabbit, which he entered in the Utah State Fair. A year later he began to copy sculptures from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and was awarded scholarships to continue his studies. Fairbanks' obvious talent later took him to the finest art schools in the United States and France. He was commissioned to create small sculptures, portrait paintings, and heroic-sized monuments as a result of this training. In addition to his sculpting commissions, Fairbanks served as assistant professor at the University of Oregon during the 1920s, received his B.F.A. degree from Yale in 1925, taught sculpture classes at and graduated with a M.A. from the University of Michigan during the 1930s-1940s, and taught at the University of Utah during the 1950s and 1960s. He also received many fellowships to study art in Europe and served as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in various capacities, including creating statues and murals for several temples. Fairbanks and his wife, Maude, had ten children.

From the guide to the Avard T. Fairbanks papers, 1909-1999, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)

Avard T. Fairbanks (1897-1987) was a well-known Utah artist. He was especially known for his religious sculptures.

From the description of Avard T. Fairbanks photographs, circa 1920s-1980s. (Brigham Young University). WorldCat record id: 221164661

Avard T. Fairbanks was an accomplished sculptor, anatomist and professor of sculpture at the University of Michigan. He created over 100 monuments, four of which are housed in the U.S. Capitol building.

From the guide to the Avard T. Fairbanks collection, 1915-1999, (Utah State University.)

Avard T. Fairbanks is a sculptor and professor of fine arts. In his career he created more than 100 public monuments to great characters and events in history. (Four are found in the U.S. Capitol Bldg. in Washington, D.C.).

From the description of Avard T. Fairbanks papers, 1906-1987. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367928588

Sculptor and professor of fine arts at the University of Michigan.

From the description of Avard T. Fairbanks papers, 1938-1958. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34420241

Mormon sculptor and Dean of Fine Arts at the University of Utah.

From the description of Representative sculpture, biography, and bibliography of Avard T. Fairbanks, 1940-1980. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122536466

From the guide to the Representative sculpture, biography, and bibliography of Avard T. Fairbanks, 1940-1980, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Sculptor and teacher (Salt Lake City, Utah).

From the description of Avard T. Fairbanks scrapbook, 1911-1981. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122389738

Avard T. Fairbanks was a sculptor and faculty member at the University of Michigan and University of Utah. He sculpted the Service Memorial that honors World War I veterans in the Oregon State University Memorial Union. Avard's brother was J. Leo Fairbanks, Professor of Art and Architecture at Oregon State College from 1923 to 1946.

Avard Fairbanks was born in Provo, Utah, in 1897 and studied sculpture in New York and France before turning 17. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Yale University in 1925; he became a faculty member at the University of Michigan's Institute of Fine Arts in 1929 and completed his Master of Fine Arts and a Ph.D. in Anatomy while at Michigan. Fairbanks was appointed Dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah in 1947, a position he held until his retirement in 1955. In addition to small and large bronzes, marble carvings, medals, and relief panels, Fairbanks designed hood ornaments for Plymouth and Chrysler, including the Dodge ram.

From the guide to the Avard T. Fairbanks Collection, 1911-1981, 1942-1981, (Oregon State University Libraries)

Avard Tennyson Fairbanks (1897-1987) was Dean of Fine Arts at the University of Utah.

Avard Tennyson Fairbanks was born 2 March 1897 in Provo, Utah to John Boylston and Lilly Annetta Huish Fairbanks. He married Beatrice Maude Fox on 25 June 1918 in Honolulu, Hawaii. They had ten children. Avard's father was a talented artist, and Avard followed in his footsteps, becoming well-known at a young age. He was called a young Michelangelo. He graduated from Yale and the University of Michigan and was eventually appointed Dean of Fine Arts at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Avard died 1 January 1987 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

From the guide to the Avard T. Fairbanks papers, 1906-1987, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)